PARTICIPATION,THAT’S WHAT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

Dollars donated to date by the Council of Contributors to support rhino initiatives in South Africa and Kenya.

Current Project

Project 020

BATHAWK ANTI-POACHING AIR PATROL OVER FULL MOON PERIODS

Partnership:

Limpopo Rhino Security Group

Date:

February, 2019

Location:

South Africa

Limpopo Rhino Security Group is a consortium of independent rhino owners in the South African province of Limpopo who have joined together to pool resources for armed anti-poaching efforts and emotional support. The threat of poaching for private rhino owners is constant and relentless. A large percentage of personal finances goes towards ground and air APU tactics which is all but impossible to sustain. The only time these rhino owners feel safe and know poachers will be kept at bay "is when the BatHawk is in the air." So that's what we are doing -- funding 14 days of strategic air patrol.

Funding goal: $3,000

Completed Projects

LARGE WALK-ON SCALE

Thula Thula Wildlife Rehab Centre: South Africa

We bought a high-tech weighing scale for rhino calves and other wildlife. This important piece of equipment informs and monitors the diet, health and progress of animals as they recover and grow, especially in cases where illness or trauma are experienced.

Hulk is an experienced, 80kg Boerboel with exceptional apprehension abilities. He often goes on the road with his rangers to help educate in communities, demonstrate anti-poaching training tactics and to patrol dangerous rhino poaching zones in South Africa. The COC covered 6-months of handler costs, equipment, facilities, food and veterinarian requirements.

ADOPTING ORPHAN CALF, NOVA

Rhino Pride Foundation: South Africa

Nova was brought to the expert team at Rhino Pride Foundation in 2017. Her mother was sadly killed by a bull rhino. We lost a healthy breeding female and Nova lost her mother and the one to teach her how to "be rhino." The Council of Contributors is making regular donations to help support Nova with milk formula and veterinary needs.

BOOTS FOR RHINO PATROL RANGERS

Thula Thula Rhino Anti-Poaching Unit: South Africa

Wherever the adult rhinos roam on the reserve, the rangers follow. Their boots log miles & miles through rugged terrain and all weather conditions. We bought the entire team high performance Rogue Trackers with full-grain leather, water-proofing and thick rubber grip soles.

SOLAR POWERED CAMERA TRAPS

Rhino Revolution Black Rhino Breeding Program: South Africa

Girlie & Jock were released on a vast reserve in the hope that they meet in the wild and mate. The COC sponsored two state-of-the-art camera traps with data capture software that allows Rhino Revolution's team to receive real-time photo and video data. This confirms their safety as well indicates if they have crossed paths.

VHF DIGITAL RADIO & UNIFORMS FOR RHINO PROTECTION UNIT

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Rhino Monitoring Unit: Kenya

26% of Kenya’s rhino population lives on this 90,000 hectare conservancy. To ensure their safety, the Rhino Protection Unit is deployed daily to track and record each individual. Every rhino must be seen once every three days. The team monitors security, behavior, pregnancies, competing males, ecological changes and predators. The COC funded equipment and uniforms for four rangers.

BAT HAWK ANTI-POACHING AIR SURVEILLANCE

Limpopo Rhino Security Group: South Africa

"Eyes in the sky" is the most effective poaching deterrent but an expensive one. We funded 25 hours of an aircraft, pilot and fuel for strategically deployed flights during key moments such as full moon or poaching threats. This group owns nearly 500 rhinos between them -- their protection is a top priority.

CYBER TRACKER GPS RHINO MANAGEMENT PLATFORM

African Rhino Conservation Collaboration: Eastern Cape

CyberTracker is a user-friendly, practical and secure in-the-field data reporting platform for scientists studying rhino habitat and social behaviors. Land contours, food and water sources, grazing and browsing habitat data is all recorded and evaluated by the team who can then make optimal decisions for the rhino.

CUDDEBACK CAMERA TRAPSuMkhuze Game Reserve, South Africa

uMkhuze's only full time Rhino Monitor needed help. Monitoring is difficult work involving daily treks through the bush to visualize individual rhinos using a database of photos. We funded 6 camera traps to place around the reserve helping the RM cover more ground, record more proof of life and potentially catch poachers.

RHINO HORN TRIMMING

Rhino Pride Foundation: South Africa

We helped cover costs for M99 tranquilizer drugs for 29 vulnerable rhinos urgently needing to be dehorned. Poaching in the area (near Kruger National Park) is rampant and populations are being decimated. Ground and Air teams donated time at no cost. This collaborative effort was to keep all remaining rhinos in the area as safe as possible.

Every orphan calf from Kruger National Park goes to Care for Wild for veterinarian care and to be raised. It gets very cold in the South African winter months so the CoC funded heaters that were installed in all the rhino sleeping rooms to make sure they stay healthy and warm.